Menominee deputy resigns after probe

MENOMINEE – Although there was no criminal activity, a Menominee County Sheriff’s deputy has resigned following an investigation into a citizen’s complaint about his conduct while off-duty.

Menominee County Sheriff Kenny Marks said he requested an independent investigation of an Oct. 29, 2012 citizen’s complaint from the Michigan Sheriff’s Association.

Two investigators were assigned by the Sheriff’s Association from county sheriff departments, which had no affiliation with Menominee County.

“The purpose of the independent investigative team was to insure a neutral, unbiased investigation,” Marks said.

Each of the two investigators were from a different county in Michigan.

Marks said the subject employee, whose name is not being released in accordance with the Bullard-Plawecki Employee Right to Know Act, was placed on administrative leave pending the completion of the investigation, as required by the terms of the union contract.

The Sheriff’s Association Mission Team began its investigation on Nov. 8, 2012. Marks received its Investigative Report on Jan. 10, 2013.

Menominee County Prosecuting Attorney reviewed the Investigative Report and concluded that no criminal violations had occurred.

Labor Counsel from the law firm Cohl, Stoker & Toskey, P.C. of Lansing also reviewed the Mission Team Investigative Report.

“Based on this review, it was determined that even though no criminal violations were found in the investigation, there were, nevertheless, violations of Menominee County Sheriff Department Policies and Procedures,” Marks said.

The conduct at issue did not occur in the county jail nor while the employee was on duty.

Marks added the employee has resigned from his employment at the sheriff’s office.